Texas lawmakers send $248 billion two-year budget to Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has the power to veto individual line items he objects to. Full Story
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![A view inside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session. The Capitol was mostly empty on opening day because of COVID-19 restrictions. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Overhaul to Texas state government employees’ retirement accounts advanced out of Legislature
Senate Bill 321 would enroll new state workers in a cash-balance plan — similar to a common 401(k) retirement account — rather than the defined-benefit pension plan that current employees have. Full Story
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![The dome of the Texas Capitol on April 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment
HillCo lobbyist Rick Dennis did not slip GHB into the drinks of two legislative staffers, an investigation found. But a history of complaints against him for inappropriate behavior raises questions about how seriously the Legislature takes misconduct. Full Story
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![The state Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate bill dictating which school sports teams transgender children can join misses House deadline
Democratic lawmakers waved transgender pride flags on the chamber floor after Senate Bill 29 missed the deadline for the House to pass all bills from the upper chamber. Full Story
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![A teenage softball player in black uniform slides into home plate.]()
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Multiple Senate GOP priorities fail in Texas House after last-ditch effort by Democrats to run out the clock
The Democrats delayed and deflected as they tried to run out the clock on bills they oppose. Republicans strategized to push through bills they’d worked on all session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, asks a question during session on the House floor at the state capitol on May 25, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Speaker Dade Phelan once criticized anti-LGBTQ efforts. Now he’s signaling support for a bill targeting transgender Texans.
Democrats supported Phelan for House speaker, reassured he would avoid controversial social issues that target LGBTQ Texans. They say they’re disappointed he is now signaling support for bill targeting transgender student athletes. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A year after George Floyd’s murder, only a few of Texas lawmakers’ police reform measures appear likely to become law
Narrowly targeted pieces of Texas’ George Floyd Act — like restricting chokeholds and requiring officers to provide first aid — are expected to pass. But the Act itself and many other related reforms have failed to progress during the legislative session that ends Monday. Full Story
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![Candles are held up in the air during a vigil for George Floyd at Yates High School in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature close to approving billions to pay for winter storm financial fallout
Several billions of dollars in state-approved financing will be necessary to stabilize the state’s distressed energy market after the winter storm. Texas approves more in finance bailouts for its utilities than any other state. Full Story
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![Electrical workers repair a power line in Austin on Feb. 18, 2021. Many Texas residents are still without power, and many don't have clean drinking water or working water at all.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas schools would be required to hang "In God We Trust" signs under measure nearing passage by lawmakers
The national motto would have to be hung in a "conspicuous place" in every building on the school's campus — if someone donates the sign. Full Story
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![Corina Pannabecker teaches first grade at Ogden Elementary in San Antonio on April 30, 2018.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislature moves on two fronts to prevent state’s largest cities and counties from cutting law enforcement budgets
The Senate measure would require major counties hold an election before reducing their law enforcement budgets. The House bill would financially punish the state’s larger cities if they cut police funds. Full Story
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![A sheriff's patrol vehicle parked outside the Travis County Courthouse on March 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers split over how long to extend Medicaid health coverage for new mothers
Maternal health advocates said the bill — originally pitched as a one-year extension — could reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate and offer vital help to mothers with conditions like postpartum depression or health complications in the months after giving birth. Full Story
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![Patients wait to be seen at the People's Community Clinic in Austin, which provides state-subsidized women's health services to low-income women, July 15, 2014.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House goes further than Senate to protect state’s main power grid as time to agree on bills winds down
The Texas House for hours on Sunday debated its proposal to better prepare for extreme weather. The chambers have a little more than a week to wrap up remaining work. Full Story
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ divisive bill limiting how students learn about current events and historic racism passed by Senate
The bill aims to ban critical race theory in public and open-enrollment charter schools. Supporters say it merely ensures students aren't taught that one race or gender is superior to another. Critics say it limits how race in America is taught. Full Story
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![Students leave the classroom to work in the computer lab at Mata Intermediate School.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Bill legalizing permitless carry of handguns in Texas on brink of passage after compromise reached
The agreement advances the legislation even closer to becoming law. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will sign such a proposal. Full Story
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![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Priority bills imperiled as end-of-session tensions rise between Texas House and Senate
House lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday that some of their priority legislation had not moved in the upper chamber, including a package of health care and criminal justice reform bills pushed by House Speaker Dade Phelan. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dade Phalen on the House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Time runs out on Texas House bill banning gender-confirmation health care for kids, but another attempt lives on in the Senate
House Bill 1399 would have banned gender-confirmation surgery, hormone therapy and puberty suppression treatments for Texas' transgender children. Full Story
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![Protestors participate in a rally against Anti-Trans legislation at the southern steps of the state Capitol on April 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House adds MLK and Frederick Douglass speeches to bill that would mandate teaching “informed American patriotism”
House Bill 4509 would mandate that students study documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. The bill’s author added speeches from Black historical figures after criticism at a hearing last month. Full Story
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![A student walks down the hallway at Cactus Elementary School in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Prospects for many Texas House bills dim if they’re not passed today. Here’s what you need to know.
By midnight Friday, House members have to grant preliminary approval to many bills originated in the lower chamber. There's likely not enough time to get to them all. But there are ways to revive measures so they still become law. Full Story
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![The House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Push to bring casinos to Texas appears headed for defeat this session despite high-profile campaign
A key deadline passed Monday without action in the Texas House on casino legislation backed by the gaming empire Las Vegas Sands. A measure to allow sports gambling looks similarly doomed. Full Story
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![Gamblers play slot machines during the reopening of The D hotel-casino, closed by the state since March 18, 2020, as part of steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
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Texas governor’s emergency powers during pandemics would be curbed under bill advanced in House
The wide-ranging legislation would affirm the governor’s ability to suspend state laws during a pandemic and allow for overriding local orders issued by county judges or mayors if they’re inconsistent with state orders. Full Story
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![Customers formed a long line for groceries outside of Fiesta on Stassney Lane in Southeast Austin. Feb 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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